Mrs. Sarah Ardell Moore Coleman 95, of Charlotte, passed away Saturday, June 29, 2019 at her residence. Funeral service will be held Saturday, July 6, 2019 at C. N. Jenkins Presbyterian Church 1421 Statesville Ave. Charlotte, NC 28206. Visitation will begin at 12:00 pm and the service will follow at 1:00 pm.
Sarah A. Moore Coleman
Sarah A. Moore Coleman passed away on Saturday July 29, 2019 at home in her peaceful, Himalayan salt lamp lighted, essential oil scented room, with her loving family close by. She loved the arts so her room was filled with the sounds of music.
Sarah was born October 23, 1923 in Charlotte, NC to the late Charles A. Moore Sr. and Creola J. Moore. Sarah was a proud graduate of West Charlotte High School and continued her education at Barber Scotia College, A&T State University, and Columbia University where she obtained a master’s degree in Teacher Education. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lewis “LC” Coleman, Vernie Armstrong Sr., and son, Vernie Armstrong Jr. Survivors include Dr. Lynn Coleman Hudson, Ed.D., daughter, Alvin “AJ” Hudson II, Esq., grand-son, Brooke Hudson Ross, grand-daughter, Alvin L Hudson, Sr., son-in-law, Jaylen Ross, Myles Ross, and Alvin “Trey” Hudson III, great-grandsons.
Sarah was the youngest of four children and the only girl. Her father was a Pullman Porter who worked for Southern Railroad and he also owned a private limousine service that would transport Johnson C. Smith University professors to various conferences. Her mother, Creola was a teacher who founded an elementary school in Goshen North Carolina. Schools were segregated at the time and Sarah has never forgotten seeing the school buses on Highway 29 taking white children back and forth while the children at her mom’s three-room schoolhouse located in a muddy area with an outside toilet, walked to school. Most of the black people in that area worked and lived on farms and had no transportation to bring their children to Charlotte to attend school so Sarah’s mother and father opened their home to several students who attended Second Ward High School because they had no transportation.
During those years, black people could not hold a political office, however school teachers worked for elected officials and Sarah remembers going out canvasing the neighborhoods with her mom, door to door to have our people sign ballots for candidates. Sarah also remembers her mom helping out neighbors in so many ways including teaching reading and writing. Her mom was very soft-spoken but very genuine and everyone loved and trusted her in what she did for them. So you see where she got her inspiration.
Sarah was a warrior, a fighter for our kids and the community, understanding that knowledge is power and action is necessary. She incorporated lessons learned from her parents regarding civic responsibility and her experiences working with the Jewish Child Association in New York City,which instilled in her a sense of purpose in protecting human rights. Sarah and her husband, LC Coleman used their platforms to advocate for the elderly and disenfranchised individuals. You could count on them to join a march, galvanize the troops for a think-tank, or host a United Negro College Fund Fundraiser in their basement.
Brandon Presbyterian Church (now C. N. Jenkins Memorial Presbyterian Church) was her church at birth. Sarah was an active member of the church, serving on circle #3 of the Presbyterian Women, sang in the choir, and brought several initiatives to the church ie. the Fine Arts Ministry and End-of-Year graduation– including a robing ceremony.
Sarah has been a longtime member in organizations such as the Black Political Caucus, National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, NAACP, Barber Scotia Aumni Association, C.N. Jenkins Memorial Presbyterian Church – Deacon and Elder, Greenville Community Historical Society, West Charlotte High School Alumni Association, University Park North Neighborhood Association, and the Greenville Community Historical Society. She has received many awards, among them, the North Carolina State Order of the Long Leaf Pine. Sarah is most proud of her work in campaigns that helped elect 3 black mayors, Harvey Gantt, Anthony Foxx, and Vi Lyles. Sarah leaves a legacy of service and huge shoes to fill for generations to come.
